It’s time to fall into Fall: tips for motivating your people this season

Employee motivation is a key driver for HR leaders and managers alike. Motivation in the workplace can be a challenge at any time of the year, but this phenomenon is especially present during the Fall season as the Winter blues and cold weather start slowly creeping up.

With summer over and another COVID winter upon us, motivation can be hard to come by. One surefire way to drive productivity this autumn is through an employee motivation questionnaire or survey. There are plenty of free staff motivation questionnaire templates and resources out there for HR professionals. 

Throw on your favorite cashmere sweater, light that fall-scented candle, and get cozy with our top five tips for work motivation this season.

Pumpkin spice it up

Staff motivation is more than just one latte away. Research shows that today’s employees are looking for more than salary and traditional perks. Especially since COVID began, workers everywhere expect a new kind of culture that prioritizes work flexibility and mental health. Millennials and Gen Z, for example, value purpose, teamwork, challenges, and work-life balance over profit. Switch things up in your company by offering long-term hybrid work structures, mentorships, or hackathons to get those creative juices (and collabs) flowing. These efforts should be part of a larger and inclusive company culture.

These Uggs are made for walkin’

A war for talent and the Great Resignation are upon us. Employee motivation, with its peaks and valleys, directly correlates with retention. If your people are not happy with their roles, teams, or company culture, it’s easy to walk out and onto the next opportunity. To prevent employee turnover and increase employee motivation, make an effort to recognize and reward your people beyond the payslip.

All the leaves are brown

As the leaves change colors, so do your people’s wants and needs. HR leaders should take steps to be in touch with their people and hear their feedback in a safe space. So, how can you use employee engagement to increase motivation levels? First, give your employees a safe space to anonymously voice their concerns and opinions. Next, establish the goals of your employee motivation survey and align with your management team. Then, run some anonymous polls and surveys with Bob to truly understand your people and visualize their responses.

Pump(kin) up the energy

As the weather gets colder, it’s time to pump up your people’s productivity. Get creative with packages of sweet treats (apple cider donuts, anyone?), socially distanced fun days (apple or pumpkin picking!), or switching things up in the office environment (Fall decor) if you haven’t gone fully remote. Or, create your own unique company traditions! Sometimes, all it takes is an inspiring podcast or Instagram account to get people going.

Give thanks … for Halloween and Thanksgiving 

In today’s world of remote and hybrid work, separating your workspace from your personal space can be even harder than it used to be. Whether it’s taking time off for vacation or simply separating from your home workspace every night, make sure to let your people know that time spent away from work is not only acceptable but actively encouraged. Eliminate vacation shaming by establishing a clear time-off policy and leading by example.

The benefits of motivation in the workplace are countless. HR leaders, it’s time to put your employee motivation questionnaire to the test! This Fall, while you finish up the quarter and prepare for the New Year, make sure to pause and check in with your people. Whether it’s a complete motivation survey or quick one-on-ones, HR leaders should keep employee engagement and motivation at the top of their minds.